Before the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, a Lompoc woman named Ashlee Buzzard received plenty of attention from true crime fans. However, only one comment appeared on an update about the mother charged with murder for allegedly killing her nine-year-old daughter, Melodee. Read on to find out what the update was.
Not Showing Up In Court
People who followed the Melodee Buzzard missing person case already knew that Ashlee Buzzard was largely uncooperative. Supporting our earlier report, The Santa Barbara Independent reminded true crime followers that Judge Stephen Dunkle warned he would issue an extraction order to force her to show up in court if she refused to cooperate again.
That’s because she missed two previous hearings. One in February, and one in March. At the time, Ashlee Buzzard claimed that illness kept her away from her court appearances. Nevertheless, her legal team went ahead and filed to try and keep some evidence about the searches of her home from being used as evidence.
April 22 Hearing Missed
Well, guess what? Her April 22 appearance never happened either. So much for extraction orders. Perhaps she provided proof of illness because the judge simply pushed the date to next week, per KSBY News.
In the meantime, a true crime fan fumed about Melodee who died so young and whose remains were eventually found on the roadside by some tourists in Utah. The digital commenter wrote, “This SICK [expletive]-how was it this woman HAD MONEY…and a house??? She was…crazy and everyone just stood by and PAID HER to be??? This whole story is [fishy].”
Public opinion and a missed appearance yet again, didn’t stop the defense team for the alleged killer of Melodee Buzzard. The outlet also reported that her “Public defender” pushed for “access to key forensic evidence.” Apparently, by next week, the judge will make a decision on whether to release it or not.
Delays In The Case
In their own minds, many true crime followers already decided that Ashlee Buzzard wasn’t right in the head. And they already believe she murdered her little girl. So probably, interest won’t pick up again until something tangible starts happening during her trial.
When that will be is anyone’s guess for now. For a start, someone needs to get Ashlee into court, and it looks like her defender focuses on delays and evidence arguments before any trial actually begins.
Other Crime News
Of course, other bigger news arrived since the arrest of Melodee’s mom. The Iran war started, and a lot of focus flipped toward Nancy Guthrie. Plus, more news arrived about Tylerr Robinson accused of killing Charlie Kirk.
Other true crime news that took attention away from Ashlee involved Brian Hooker who lost his wife over in the Bahamas. Plus, the 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner will apparently be charged as an adult in her death aboard a cruise ship.
What are your thoughts on Ashlee not appearing in court for the third time? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your true crime news and updates. Plus, remember we have a true channel on TikTok that you can follow.